Plans for the proposed completion of the Festival Plaza development are on display at Windsor City Hall on February 15, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Plans for the proposed completion of the Festival Plaza development are on display at Windsor City Hall on February 15, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

Opinions Sought on Festival Plaza Makeover

The city of Windsor wants the public's input on transforming its riverfront showplace.

Plans for the proposed redevelopment of the Riverfront Festival Plaza are up for the public to see. The city says the primary goal of the project is to make better use of the space occupied by the Festival Plaza, right on the city's riverfront.

The designs were put on display at an open house Friday at Windsor City Hall. Representatives from the city as well as Landmark Engineers, the project consultants, were available to answer questions.

The city hired Landmark three years ago to look into site improvements for the plaza, based on feedback received from residents and visitors alike. Some of the comments criticised the lack of green space and a shortage of washrooms. The site itself is mostly a paved area roughly the size of two NFL football fields.

The update would consist of dividing the area into three main zones, stretching from the current concert stage to Glengarry Ave. The first includes flexible open space near Glengarry with a new east entrance and easier access for trucks supporting larger events.

The second space would be used as a transition between the concert area and the Glengarry space. New additions proposed for this space include trees, landscaping and seating with the intent for year-round use.

The third space, closest to the concert stage, may include new seating and shade structures and additional green space. The area would also be gently sloped to accommodate concert seating.

A section west of the concert stage, Rotary Plaza, is already under construction and expected to be ready by May.

Additional options proposed by the city and consultants are canopies for the concert area to protect from weather, and additional washrooms in the transition and Glengarry spaces.

The plaza hosts many of the city's major summer events, such as Windsor Summerfest, the fireworks, Carousel of Nations, Windsor Pride, RibFest and others.

The city is asking residents to fill out a questionnaire on what they would like to see for the plaza. That survey is available on the city's official website.

Images depicting the current Festival Plaza are on display at Windsor City Hall, February 15, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Images depicting the current Festival Plaza are on display at Windsor City Hall, February 15, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

Proposals to the Festival Plaza development are on display at Windsor City Hall, February 15, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.Proposals to the Festival Plaza development are on display at Windsor City Hall, February 15, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

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